Q. I keep seeing recipes that call for nutritional yeast. What is this ingredient and is it healthy?
A. Powdery in texture and savory in flavor, nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, and vegans have been gobbling it up for years as a pasta topper, condiment and cheese sub. But you don’t have to be a vegan to say yes to yeast; this high-protein, low carb and low calorie product is arguably much healthier than your ordinary grated cheese. Dairy free, nutritional yeast also is free of gluten, sodium and fat.
Added bonus: nutritional yeast is absolutely loaded with essential vitamins, including B, thiamine and zinc. What a tasty way to get in your dailies!
So what can you do with it?
-Sprinkle it over pasta
-Sprinkle over steamed veggies to make your superfood side dish even more super (we love it on cauliflower!)
-Use with scrambled tofu for a vegan substitute for scrambled eggs
-Mix with olive oil and fresh garlic for a flavorful marinade, pasta sauce or drizzle for salads and vegetables
-Mix with sea salt and a healthy oil (coconut, sesame) to give popcorn a gourmet flair
-Check out these scrumptious recipes for more ideas: Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Chicken, Baked Parsnip French Fries, Creamy Butternut Squash & Spinach Casserole, Squash-Nut “Burger” Patties, and Quick & Easy Homemade Popcorn Seasonings.